Rove beetle

6971.  I saw this on my balcony yesterday on my child’s playmat . Tiny little bug but runs very fast . Is thus dangerous ? Is it larvae or actual size of bug ? Is it normally found in bc ? Have never seen it before. Thanks. Surrey, British Columbia. Canada

Number 6971. This is an adult rove beetle (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae). These are general predators on other small arthropods, and ones like yours are completely harmless to humans. There are a few tropical species in the genus Paederus that exude a fluid that can cause skin/eye irritation. Click here for a detailed explanation.